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We need to get children vaccinated, says Prof. Gray

by Zahid Jadwat

JOHANNESBURG – South African children should receive the COVID-19 vaccine just as many minors have received their jabs in several other countries, according to renowned physician Prof. Glenda Gray.

Prof. Gray, who is currently the  President and CEO of the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) and the former Chair of the Research Committee on COVID-19, told Salaamedia that children in the United States, Singapore, France and Malaysia have been vaccinated.

 

Whilst South Africa’s COVID-19 rollout programme has not yet reached minors, the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) approved the Pfizer vaccine for children over the age of 12. At the same time, 2 000 South African minors will be enrolled in a Sinovac trial.

 

Intergenerational risk

 

She explained that it is important for the vaccine rollout to include children because of the intergenerational risk which, she said, “puts all people at risk”.

 

“It’s very important for us to vaccinate children. Children who get COVID may also transmit it to their elderly grandparents and that intergenerational risk puts all people at risk,” she said.
 
She added: “We hear stories of children getting COVID at school and then coming home and infecting the whole family”.
 
Prof. Gray said she hopes that children will be included in the national rollout by the beginning of 2022.
 
 

Julie Alli spoke to Professor Glenda Gray, President and CEO of the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), on News & Views. Listen to the full discussion here:

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